Food Irradiation
What is Food Irradiation?


~Food Irradiation is a process that uses ionized radiation from the chemicals Cobalt 60, Cesium 137 to kill Harmful bacteria and pathogens.





Food irr.gif




Does the food become Radioactive?

~Food Does not become radio-active.

~ for 40+ years it has been under study and nothing has shown any harm to humans or animals.




Why Is this process Used?

~Food Irradiation improves the shelf life of the foods it is used on. This process helps maintain and control the spread of bacteria.

~Irradiation kills harmful bacteria including

* E.-coli

* Salmonella



What Are 5 Commonly Irradiated Foods?

~The Most commonly irradiated foods are…

*Fruits

*Vegetables

*Poultry

*Fish

*Herbs / Spices


FOOD AND YEAR APPROVED

Wheat flour and potatoes

1964

Garlic powder, onion powder, and dried spices

1983

Dried Spices, herbs and vegetable seasonings

1985

Dry and Hydrated enzymes

1985

Pork

1985

Fruit and vegetables

1986

Poultry

1990

Beef, lamb, pork, and horse meat

1997

Fresh shell eggs

2000

Sprouting seeds

2000

Fruit and Vegetable Juices

2000

Imported fruit and vegetables (for pest treatment)

2002

Deli meats, frozen foods

2005

Molluscan shellfish (clams, oysters, mussels)

2008







irradiated_food.jpg





How To Know If Food Has Been Irradiated?

~Foods that have been Irradiated will be labeled with this symbol.

~The food and Drug administration has made it mandatory that if a food has been irradiated that is has the symbol, and that it is found in the label.

food irrr.gif




Cites Used:
uw-food-irradiation-engr-wise.edu/facts.html
www.wholefoodsmarket.com/irradiation
www. foodandwaterwatch.org/food/irradiation.u-s-food-irradiation

Site By Sara Neral.